Ecologically sustainable

A population or society is ecologically sustainable when the ecosystems on which it depends, local, regional and global, maintain their capacity to satisfy the health and survival needs of that population or society over the short, medium and long term.

Ecologically unsustainable

A population or society is ecologically unsustainable when the ecosystems on which it depends are progressively losing their capacity to satisfy the health and survival needs of that population or society. Such a situation can come about either because the ecosystems are degrading or because the population is expanding beyond sustainable levels – in terms of supply of food and water.

Ever-moreism

Evolutionary health principle

The principle that if an animal or plant is removed from its natural habitat, or if the environment changes in some significant way, it is likely that it will be less well adapted to the new conditions, and will consequently show some signs of physiological or behavioural maladjustment. This principle applies to all species including Homo sapiens.

Extrasomatic energy

Energy used by humans outside the human body in various technologies. It is thus distinct from somatic energy which is the energy used in metabolic processes within the human body and provided by food.

Greenhouse effect

The warming of the Earth’s surface and atmosphere due to the presence of certain gases in the atmosphere (e.g. water vapour, carbon dioxide) which capture heat radiating from the Earth’s surface and reradiate it downwards.

Humankind

Members of the species Homo sapiens.

Industrial transition

The transition from early urban society (ecological Phase 3) to modern high consumption society (ecological Phase 4).

Natural habitat

The natural habitat of an animal is the environment in which the species evolved, and to which it is therefore genetically adapted through natural selection. For humans, the natural habitat is that of the hunter-gatherer, which was the only environment known to our species for many thousands of generations.

Natural environment

All the living systems in the environment including, for example, wilderness areas and farmland.

Photosynthesis

The process by which energy in the form of sunlight is captured in the leaves of green plants and converted into chemical form through the action of chlorophyll.

Shared knowledge

Knowledge shared by the majority of the members of a society.

Societal arrangements

The legislative, economic and institutional arrangements of a society.

Technometabolism

The inputs, uses and outputs of energy and materials resulting from technological processes and taking place outside human bodies.

Universal health needs

The innate health needs of humans determined by the evolutionary background of the species (the evolutionary health principle).